Free remote desktop — remote support at no cost
WinDesk Free is genuinely free: 2 hours per month, unlimited sessions, no credit card, with the same end-to-end encryption as the paid plans. Ideal for helping privately or trying WinDesk out at your leisure.
What does “free” actually mean here?
Many “free” remote tools only appear that way at first glance — they finance themselves through ads, data sales or a trial period that snaps shut after 30 days. WinDesk Free is built differently:
- CHF 0, permanently — no trial period that expires. The Free plan stays free for as long as you use it.
- No credit card — you store no payment details to start for free.
- No ads, no data selling — screen data flows peer-to-peer directly between the devices. We technically cannot see it and resell nothing.
- Full encryption included — every session gets AES-256-GCM, including the free ones. Security is not a surcharge feature.
- The other side pays nothing — only the helping side needs an account; whoever receives help installs the free host.
What the Free plan can do — and what it cannot
Honesty instead of asterisk fine print. This is included in the Free plan:
- Included: 2 hours of connection time per month (sum of all sessions).
- Included: unlimited sessions of up to 5 minutes each.
- Included: attended access — the other side confirms every connection.
- Included: AES-256-GCM encryption, peer-to-peer, Swiss hosting for signaling.
- Not included: unattended access (devices with no one in front of them) — that is a Pro feature.
- Not included: host management, groups, roles and team features.
You will find the full side-by-side comparison of all plans on the pricing page, and every feature in detail under Features.
Who the Free plan is made for
- Private help for family & friends — “My mother cannot figure out the printer.” Connect briefly, solve the problem, done. See Family & friends use case.
- Trying WinDesk out — get to know the interface, the connection quality and the workflow before deciding on Light or Pro.
- Occasional ad-hoc support — if you only help now and then and briefly, 2 hours per month is plenty.
- Second opinion & quick diagnosis — look over someone's shoulder for a moment instead of directing them over the phone.
When free is no longer enough
As soon as you help professionally or regularly, 2 hours per month and 5 minutes per session reach their limit. Then a clear, affordable path leads upward — without bundle tiers:
- Light — CHF 19.90/month. Unlimited session duration, unlimited sessions, file transfer and clipboard sync, session history. Ideal for freelancers and small teams.
- Pro — CHF 29.90/month. Everything in Light plus unattended access, 100 hosts included, host management, roles and audit logs. For IT service providers and system administrators.
- 14-day free trial — Light and Pro without a credit card, then automatic fallback to Free.
Frequently asked questions — free remote desktop
Is WinDesk really free?
Yes. The Free plan costs CHF 0, permanently. You get 2 hours of connection time per month, unlimited sessions of up to 5 minutes each, attended access (the other side confirms the connection) and the same AES-256-GCM encryption as in the paid plans. No credit card, no subscription, no trial period that expires.
Where is the catch?
There is no hidden catch — only clear limits. The Free plan is capped at 2 hours per month and 5 minutes per session, and it includes no unattended access and no host management. We do not sell user data and show no ads: screen data flows peer-to-peer directly between the devices, we technically cannot see it. The Free plan is deliberately built so that private help stays free — anyone who needs more professionally moves up to Light or Pro.
What exactly are the Free plan's limits?
2 hours of total usage per calendar month, a maximum of 5 minutes per individual session (automatic disconnect afterwards, reconnecting is possible), attended access only, no unattended access, no host management and no team features. That is plenty for spontaneous help; for continuous operation, Light or Pro is intended. All limits in the price comparison.
Do I need a credit card to start for free?
No. No credit card is stored for the Free plan. You download WinDesk and create a free account — that is it. Light and Pro can also be tried for 30 days without a credit card; without an active decision the account automatically falls back to Free afterwards, with no charge.
Does the person I am helping also have to pay?
No. Only the helping side (the client) needs an account or a licence. Whoever receives help installs the free host and confirms the connection — no account, no cost. This way you can maintain your parents' PC, for example, without them having to set up or pay for anything.
Is the free version just as secure as the paid one?
Yes. Every session — including in the Free plan — uses AES-256-GCM end-to-end encryption, peer-to-peer data flow and Swiss hosting for signaling. Encryption is not sold as a paid extra. Details on the security page.
When is it worth switching to Light or Pro?
As soon as you regularly connect for longer than 5 minutes at a time or more than 2 hours per month, Light pays off (CHF 19.90/month, unlimited session duration). Anyone who wants to maintain devices with no one in front of them — servers, kiosk systems, the family PC without asking — needs Pro (CHF 29.90/month) with unattended access.
Get started for free — in 30 seconds
Free plan without a credit card, permanently free. Switch to Light or Pro any time later.